The biometric voter registration system, which proved a success in the recent election in neighbouring Kenya, would go some way to ensure a fair election here at home. The National Electoral Commission has indicated that it is considering investing in that technology. It is a welcome move that will, to a large extent, ensure that no one fiddles with the outcome.
But technology poses its own brand of challenges, especially when it comes into play the first time. The electoral body will have to plan the entire exercise in minute detail and carry out test runs in order to ensure there are no system failures.
Poll officials will also need to be trained to ensure a free and fair election in 2015. Elections are a highly charged affair, after all, and voters may easily read any breakdown as an attempt to hijack democracy.
Taking into account the complexity of elections in African countries, the biometric system would appear to be the ultimate solution to such challenges as delays in announcing results from distant polling centres--which raises suspicion of malpractices.
The government and otherstakeholders should back the NEC efforts to introduce the system. It is our hope that the donors’ election support project will also chip in to help Tanzanians achieve their dream of having an accurate voter’s register and ensure quick registration of new voters.
NEC has an opportunity to go one step ahead by carrying out a test run of the biometric system during local government elections a year before the general election. This will help identify weaknesses and deal with problems.
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Quelle/Source: The Citizen Daily, 16.04.2013
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